Throughout the years I have been amazed by the technological leaps and developments in the video game industry. By the same token, some of the gaffes that have been made by the developers and manufactures have stunned me as well. Here are a few of my favorites...
Power Supply of the Atari 5200
Nintendo's Game Packaging
Infomercials for the Philips CD-i
Now this picture does not truly give this dog it's proper justice. This was the proprietary AVpower adapter with the first run of the Atari 5200 systems. It was huge, cumbersome and is very expensive to replace (if going for the original 'module'). I can understand, to a certain degree, Atari taking this protective measure after their recent litigious bouts with Coleco (among others) concerning copyright violations. Still, I hate this thing with a passion and the think tank at Atari should not have levied part of their reaction on us gamers with this monstrosity. That point being aside, this thing is prone to failure as well.
For all of their successes, Nintendo just could just never get their game packaging right until the release of the Game Cube. I can understand the NES boxes - they basically followed Atari's lead. However, why continue on the same failed path when Sega showed you how to do it right with those sturdy, plastic Sega Master System game cases? I know cost is a big issue in this, but this bothersome trend continued well into the 1990s. If I am going to shell out $49.95 for a game at least give me a box that won't get smashed and flattened at the lightest touch. Panasonic - you should have known better has well (3DO).
Being the old school gamer that I am, I remember watching the brutal offerings as shown in the above as a young adult. I have to admit I was intrigued at the time, but these infomercials had nothing to do with my interest level in this system - it had the complete opposite effect. I wanted a gaming experience - not a multimedia device that would serve all of my needs. This way the way of the 1990s with many companies, albeit with limited success for the most part. I can only imagine what Philips invested into these lame infomercial offerings, Perhaps these monies should have been diverted to R&D.
Console Design of the NEC PC-FX
The Atari Jaguar Controller
Gakken TV Boy - Everything!
Now I rather like the design of the PC-FX. It is definitely different than the standard thoroughfare of the day. Resembling a mini tower PC, this system did indeed have expansion port capabilities. The bad thing about this system - where are you supposed to put it? It is too tall to fit under 99.9% of the entertainment centers in 1994. To top this off, the CD-Rom drive is located on top of the unit - requiring another 5-6 inches of required vertical clearance. Nice console design, just not well thought out in my humble opinion.
I have to honestly admit that I have never heard one person talk favorably about the Atari Jaguar controller. Released in 1993. this pig had only three (3) controller buttons when everyone else was sporting six (6) button models along with triggershoulder buttons on some. They couldn't even get the labeling right (buttons labeled C-A-B for some unknown reason). This thing was huge, hard to grip and only a few games utilized the numeric keypad. Don't bother trying to use the D-Pad and the keypad at the same time - it is a waste of time.
The picture says it all. The main controller was built into the system (right hand throttle- looking appendage) and this system required you to grip the 'telephone anchor' with your left hand to prevent the light-weight, miniscule console was moving all over creation. I have tested out this console a few times and it grows more and more frustrating every time. I'd like to think I am not the pessimistic type, but in all honesty I can not say one good thing about this loser. Thank goodness Gakken eventually went back to handhelds.
These are just a few of the truly puzzling decisions made by video game industry experts. I have no doubt that these individuals are highly capable and very intelligent in this field. But, still, I have to ask myself "What were they thinking??". What are some of the innovations, products, etc. that you would place in this category?
Yeah very good article, I found the infomercial quite boring. Here's one for the list: Sega's 1990s release schedule. I mean, you had the Sega CD come out in 1992 in USA, 3 years after Genesis, but Sega just messed up in 1995 (I think) when they released the 32X and then release the Sega Saturn early (to be ahead of Sony) six months after the 32X. Not only that, Sega Saturn did way better than the 32X, so why release that system at all?
Also, for Europe, why ditch support for both Master System and Genesis (Mega Drive) for Sega Saturn in 1996? For the Master System especially, Sega's best market was Europe and ditching support for both of there best selling systems must have badly effected sales
When I got my 5200, I was like "What the hell is this thing". My dad showed me how to use it. Its quite possibly the stupidest power adaptor design ever
@blcklblskt: Thankfully later on, Atari had the sense to place the power jack on the console, where it belongs. It took them a year to do it, but still...
@blcklblskt:The games aren't that bad, and when I played on it I never got headaches or eyesores, though my neck was stiff after a while
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You have stumbled upon my little piece of the RFG universe where you will find my published articles and various other writings / rantings. Having first hand experience through the evolution of the video gaming field (fancy way of me just telling you that I am old), the topics vary greatly.
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